Missouri Obliterated in Terrifying Asteroid Strike Simulation

Let's begin by saying that there's a better than average chance that this will never happen. Maybe that thought will make you feel better about a new simulation that shows that it would only take seconds before Missouri would be obliterated if an asteroid impacted the state directly.

Estimates say there are between 1.1 and 1.9 million asteroids in the asteroid belt

Let's break it down to what really matters. NASA estimates there are 37,000 known near Earth asteroids. It's those space rocks that they keep their eye on to make sure there are none that are on a confirmed impact trajectory with our planet. But, what if there were? And, what if the impact spot was in the middle of Missouri? Now, you can know what that might be like thanks to a scientific Asteroid Launcher by Neal Fun.

What would happen if an asteroid 1,500 feet in diameter were to hit the middle of Missouri while traveling 38,000 mph at an angle of 45 degrees?

• Here's what the Asteroid Launcher tool shows would happen:
• An estimated 893 people would be vaporized in the crater
• The crater is 1,866 ft deep
• Your asteroid impacted the ground at 37,680 mph
• The impact is equivalent to 9 Gigatons of TNT
• More energy was released than a hurricane releases in a day
• An estimated 227,074 people would die from the fireball
• An estimated 31,062 people would receive 3rd degree burns
• An estimated 102,324 people would receive 2nd degree burns
• Trees would catch on fire within 71 miles of the impact

The simulator adds that "an estimated 38,719 people would die from the shock wave. Anyone within 25 miles would likely receive lung damage. Anyone within 32 miles would likely have ruptured eardrums. Buildings within 56 miles would collapse. Homes within 75 miles would collapse. An estimated 63,184 people would die from the wind blast. Wind within 17 miles would be faster than storms on Jupiter. Homes within 28 miles would be completely leveled. Within 49 miles it would feel like being inside an EF5 tornado. Nearly all trees within 81 miles would be knocked down."

This impact would also result in a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that would be felt in St. Louis and Kansas City, too. Other than that, no big deal. I don't want to make this all bad news though. The simulation says that impacts like this only happen once ever 164,000 years. Don't worry, though. An asteroid impact like this hitting Missouri is probably only what would happen in a disaster movie, right? I really should stream Deep Impact and Armageddon again soon. Greenland is also newer and interesting, too.